Last year the COOP retail chain preserved its competitiveness and strengthened its market position by integrating almost 200 stores. CO-OP Hungary Zrt. CEO László Murányi told about 2012 that company achieved the targets it had set, its sales revenue grew by 4-4.5 percent from the base period.

The store refurbishment programme was completed by the end of the year. COOP’s integrated IT programme continues and today 60 percent of total sales are implemented via the integrated informatics system. By the end of 2013 the company plans to have 1 million loyalty programme members. In the last quarter of 2012 Polus COOP Trade and Industry Zrt. and Piliscsoport Trade Kft. joined the COOP franchise system, plus COOP acquired 62 Match and Profi stores – these moves also brought 2,500 new employees for COOP. What is the secret behind COOP’s success? According to the CEO, their belief is that economic challenges can only be met by progressive development and it is absolutely necessary to have a good team. As for the year 2013, the CEO told that economic forecasts predict no significant GDP growth or increase in real wages, which means that consumption will not expand either. The COOP Group’s calculation is that a 3-4 percent inflation level could mean growth in turnover for the company. For 2013 Mr Murányi expects a HUF 590 billion turnover for the COOP retail chain. They will continue with the on-going development projects, the redesigning of acquired stores and start greenfield investments as well.